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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

Getting to the hospital when your partner does not drive.............. advice and thoughts

27 replies

vixenwasp · 04/01/2008 22:20

I am sorry if this is an extremley stupid question, but i'm expecting my first in 4 weeks time and although I drive, my partner is a learner (insured on my car). How will this effect me getting to the hospital when labour starts?? What would you do? He suggests that if he is at work then an ambulance should be called, but i'm not very thrilled about that want to be nice and relaxed, not arriving at the hospital in an ambulance if poss! Can I drive myself there? hehe or are the early stages likely to last a while, giving us time to make arrangements?

thoughts appreciated, its these kind of things that play on my mind.

Lynsey

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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Minum · 04/01/2008 22:23

I walked to hospital, but I was going in to be induced. I had a neihbour lined up if I went into labour naturally.

CarGirl · 04/01/2008 22:23

I don't know in the end I was induced every time so MIL dropped me off! We live quite close so we always had the taxi option but the MW did tell me I could ring an ambulance.

Octo · 04/01/2008 22:23

Ambulance or taxi sounds best!! or a friend/relative even better - relaxed is good but getting there with someone who can drive is even better.

Good luck

Minum · 04/01/2008 22:23

Sorry - have never been able to spell Neighbour ?

CarGirl · 04/01/2008 22:24

Forgot to mention - that is why I booked for homebirth, at any time you can transfer into hospital and the MW will sort it out if they are there with you IYSWIM.

holidaywonk · 04/01/2008 22:25

I got a taxi to hospital in my first labour. Taxi driver was rather when he realised what was happening and drove like James Hunt over the many, many speed bumps - he obviously thought I was about to drop (didn't give birth for another 12 hours or so).

I don't think driving yourself there will be a serious option - contractions would make it difficult for you to drive safely.

hatrick · 04/01/2008 22:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

ScottishMummy · 04/01/2008 22:26

good luck with impending pg

i dont drive, partner works away a lot, we have no car. i recommend find a reliable taxi firm who will take you!phone around explain your need, do persevere not all will take you, som get bit woobly imagining waters,baby and chaos

in all likelihood you will have lots of time, it is common to worry about inadequate time and rushed arrival

Original poster

vixenwasp · 04/01/2008 22:28

Thanks for the replies, I feel better for asking

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Original poster

vixenwasp · 04/01/2008 22:30

Also I suppose a taxi or ambulance would save a hefty, hospital parking bill!

OP posts:

ScottishMummy · 04/01/2008 22:31

yep taxi the way to go imo

MarsLady · 04/01/2008 22:31

take a cab! Much cheaper in the long run. Oh and keep a towel to sit on in the car.

CarGirl · 04/01/2008 22:32

our hospital does a £10 parking pass for those on the labour ward.

ScottishMummy · 04/01/2008 22:32

research local minicab firms now put in your mobile phone

Aimsmum · 04/01/2008 22:35

Message withdrawn

janeite · 04/01/2008 22:36

With my first, we called the hospital asking what to do once my waters had broken and they sent an ambulance; with my second I got a taxi on my own and then dp came later, once he'd arranged for mil to come and look after dd1. Both ways were absolutely fine and I'd recommend either of them rather than attempting to drive yourself there. And yes, have a few companies' numbers ready in your phone, just in case there's a problem with one firm.

Shitemum · 04/01/2008 22:42

We took taxis.
The first time we lived in the medieval part of town and it was 5am. We had to walk about 200 m to get to the nearest street which was accessable to cars at all. DP rushed ahead in a panic with my case leaving me grasping the walls of the deserted dark narrow cobbled streets with each contraction. When we got to the hospital we were told to go home as I wasn't much dilated. I refused as we had already been in the day before with a false alarm, and said just put me in a corner somewhere, which they did. DD1 was born 7 hours later.

Second time around I was 8cm dilated when we got there and climbing the walls. The taxi driver was obviously worried about his seats and kept glancing at me nervously in his mirror. It was worse for me tho' as having to sit during contractions just made it so much worse!

Take a towel to sit on if your waters haven't already broken, it might reassure the taxi driver!
We did have a friend who said he would take us any time of the day or night but he also lived in the medieval part and had 2 small kids, I didnt want to disturb his household at 5am...

holidaywonk · 04/01/2008 22:43

Blimey, where do you live shitemum?

Shitemum · 04/01/2008 23:16

It was the Albayzin in Granada.
that night it was like this
this is about 50metres from the house we lived in then

amytheearwaxbanisher · 04/01/2008 23:35

my dad drove us i drive now but didnt then and dh still doesnt but we had to get a taxi for the 20 minute drive fom pil,s[who dont drive]to my parents as dad was rushing from work to his house simultaniously.had to pretend to not be in labour as mil said the taxi wouldnt take us otherwise, i had to squirm silently through m contractions in the back of the cab!

sparklygothkat · 04/01/2008 23:50

first time, I had to go in an ambulance, as had a sudden large bleed, 2nd one I lived over the road and walked over. 3rd one I was in london and dumped in a taxi as soon as we got to the local train station by DH and he waited for my dad to pick up him and DS (as Dad was on his way). 4th one DH was able to drive me to the hospital. All four different ways to get to hospital lol

madamez · 05/01/2008 00:01

GOod idea to research in advance how friendly your local cab firms are. Also, you could have a friend or relative lined up with a prior agreement (depending on their homelife) as to whether or not you can ring them at 4am if necessary.
Admittedly I went on on public transport but was not actually in labour, had been sent in to be induced. And I think if you are in early labour and the trip isn't too far (and you have someone with you) going on on public transport might be feasible.

LOVEMYMUM · 05/01/2008 10:44

Not a stupid question at all.

I've been told never to drive myself to hospital when in labour.

Best thing to do is to call local cab firms in advance (as others have suggested) and also to take name of the person at the firm who says they will take you, so you can quote person's name on the night. If all else fails, ambulance. Lots of luck.

Original poster

vixenwasp · 05/01/2008 16:55

Thank you, I'm sure the plan will all come together on the day! Birth should be by appointment, I hate all the not knowing. hehe. I'll get in touch with taxi firms, and post with what actually happens, when it does. Baby due 5th Feb :D

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mom2latinoboys · 05/01/2008 17:33

I drove myself.

Of course I didn't believe I was really in labor, Had a bright red bleed followed by some contractions every few minutes, had contractions in the car, got admitted, and still didn't quite believe that I was in labor.

They wouldn't let me drive myself home though.

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